have
been travelling round. Last year I went home for a week, thinking
they'd be pleased to see me; but, bless your life, the old caretaker in
the mansion was the only one who cared a jot. The others thought I had
come for the rent, so the very next morning they had dug a grave in
front of the hall-door and put an old black coffin near it with a notice
on top, written in the best of Irish, advising me to clear out at once.
Pleasant fellows! They've quaint ways about them, but they are
good-hearted all the same.

"I took their advice and left at once, and then came out here to see
what I could do at the mines. But Kruger and his friends had upset
everything, so I went south to Durban for a time, and when there was a
talk of fun up here I took the train and came on the chance of seeing
it. But how to do it is the next thing. What do you think, Somerton?"

"I am going back to Kimberley very soon," said Jack; "but if there is to
be a struggle in this direction I shall stay for a time and join in if I
can. I was told yesterday that volunteers are badly wanted, and that
anyone could be taken for the Imperial Light Horse. But that would be
more or less of a tie. I really don't see why we should not take part
in all the fun as simple volunteers. Have you a rifle and a mount?"

"Yes, I have a good pony and the usual rifle," O'Farnel answered; "and
what is more, my kit makes me practically the same as any of the
volunteers. I have been here for the last week, and so can put you in
the way of things. I know one of the officers in a regiment stationed
here. Let us look him up. I dare say he could get whatever you want,
and I should advise you to buy a suit of khaki and a pair of putties.
Then we will see whether we cannot go along with the troops."

Accordingly Jack and O'Farnel strolled across to one of the camps and
were fortunate enough to find the officer of whom the latter had spoken.

"Hallo, Farney!" he exclaimed, as they stopped opposite his tent. "So
you've come up here! I thought you were going to stay at Durban."

"No, I've got a restless fit on, Roper, and have come to see what is
doing here. This is Jack Somerton, a friend of mine. By the way, he
wants to get some kit. Can you help him?"

"I may be able to," answered Roper. "Come over to the quartermaster and
we will see what he has to say." When they reached the quartermaster's
stores, which were temporarily in a large tin house, they found